While my wife was starting the Dodge Durango this afternoon, a big clunking noise sounded and it continued on as if someone was throwing rocks underneath my engine. Turns out that a rod had been broken inside my engine. After looking for a new engine on the internet, I am finding out that there are several complaints about this happening to a lot of other people. Why is this not being investigated? I am now part of a long list of dissatisfied customer. I will never buy Dodge again and will recommend to anyone else to stay away.

- North Platte, NE, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the windshield cowl covering was defective and the seal was replaced; however, water was able to penetrate into the engine which required it to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage were 17,000. Updated 4/30/15 updated 05/05/15

- New Orleans , LA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. When the contact started the vehicle, the engine stalled. The dealer stated that the two engine rods fractured due to hydrolock. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 144,000.

- Brentwood, NH, USA

Apparently this is a problem that Dodge has been aware of since 2004. The design of the vehicle allows rain water to be directed down the front windshield and into the engine compartment where it is then sucked through the intake manifold causing the pistons to hydro-lock. In turn the piston rods bend and/or break causing the engine to blow up. This happened to my vehicle when I started it on May 18, 2014. There were pieces of my engine block on the driveway. Thankfully I wasn't driving at the time or I could have had a serious accident.

- Brentwood, NH, USA

I had driven my vehicle on Saturday, hauling a load of hay, without incident, then parked the car. Monday morning I went out to drive kids to school, the engine turned over and started making a loud noise, immediately I turned it off and called a mechanic. I had the vehicle towed to his shop that day, where he found a perfect circle hole in the side about the size of a 50 cent piece. I've since replaced the engine, then the oil pump, and the head gaskets, and the oil pan, now the battery...

- Marion, OH, USA

Just bought vehicle from a used car dealer in NJ. On drive home to pa, vehicle made a loud rattling noise, debris came out from around truck. Engine turned off in the middle of a busy road. Lots of smoke coming out from under the hood and from the passenger vents. Engine oil poured out of the engine onto the ground. Vehicle had to be towed home. Instrument cluster gauges were within normal readings. No check engine or oil lights on. Vehicle coolant temps in normal range on the gauge. In process of talking with vehicle's place of purchase to find out how to get this engine fixed/replaced.

- Alburtis, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while making a right turn at 25 mph, the steering wheel seized and the engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on five separate occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage and the current mileage was unknown.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

5.7L hemi. Started it up at home and clanging started just like that from the engine without any previous warning. Shut it off and checked around and found pieces of the engine block on the ground. Crawled under it and there is a hole in the block just about the oil pan lip.

- Kempner, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the engine stalled and the electronic throttle control warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of this failure. The failure and current mileage was 112,000. The VIN was not available.

- Bethalto, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, smoke was seen coming from the front end of the vehicle as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the water pump and the radiator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired on two occasions but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 162,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Every time I drive in the rain the engine stall and make a abrupt stop. I have numerous service done by the Dodge dealer and many amount of money spent on trying to correct this major problem. In good weather the SUV drive great it's only when it rain when this happens. This a major safety hazard especially when your on a major highway and cars are driving at high speed behind you and your car stop. Is the Dodge company waiting for people to die in order to correct this problem. I'm the original owner of this vehicle and always had the maintenance service done

- Westampton, NJ, USA

While driving at approximately 35 mph, the engine produced a loud thud followed by a pronouced tapping noise. Was able guide the vehicle off the road. Vehicle was towed to local garage where the engine was proclaimed "dead" - appears to have thrown a rod. Vehicle was well cared for with dealer oil changes every 3K miles. No indication of a problem prior to this incident. Chrysler / Dodge unwilling to provide any assistance or information.

- Herndon, VA, USA

Moisture entered into the cylinders via that air intake manifold due to a water seal design defect in the area of the windshield wiper arms. When the vehicle is parked, rain water coming down the front windshield will flow directly under the cowl and onto the engine block. This water intrusion causes undue stress on the pistons, rods, and crankshaft eventually causing a rod to break and puncture the engine block. If this happens at highway speeds, the results could be deadly. The other known scenario is after the car is parked for a period of time (exposed to rain), the cylinder will fill with water, causing a hydro-lock condition and the vehicle will not start. The engine usually is found to also have a bent or fractured rod at this point. This is a known problem by Dodge / Chrysler and they refuse to do anything about it. See the numerous complaints on edmunds.com blogs and on youtube regarding this topic.

- Edmonds, WA, USA

2004 Dodge Durango limited, 5.7L hemi, purchased on 5/15/13. Extended warranty purchased with vehicle at time of sale. Vehicle has been returned for service five times to date for same root issue. In under one year, only approximately 2600 miles have been driven due to lack of reliability and service related problems. In this case, the root problem is known to the service department and is not unique to this specific vehicle, but rather a known issue with this year, make and model. Chrysler is unable to provide direction or any technical support to assist the service department with solving the issue. It has been clearly acknowledged by the dealership service department, as well as Chrysler directly, that this matter involves a manufacturing defect that has not been corrected and was never issued as a recall. Most recently, I was notified that engine damage had been repaired and the vehicle was ready to be picked up. In the same conversation, however, I was advised that the cause of the damage, being the defect that allows water to enter the engine compartment during heavy rain or car washes, was not rectified. This issue is clearly unresolved and the safety of my family and other motorists could be in jeopardy if catastrophic engine failure were to occur. Chrysler has opted to ignore this frequently reported issue and simply push those who complain away.

- Maple Shade, NJ, USA

I was pulling away from a stop when the engine suddenly made some loud noises sounding like grinding and the vehicle lost all power, steering and brakes. I had to navigate over railroad tracks with a train coming and onto a side street and a ditch. I was the only one in the truck at the time and was not hurt and there was no damage to the vehicle. If it had been one of my kids or wife driving it would have been tragic due to no power and trying to steer a 5000lb truck across traffic and railroad tracks with a train coming. This vehicle was well maintained and had an oil change two weeks prior to the failure. Within the past year this I had the vehicle completely gone thru by dealer mcinerney in mi and they got it ready for what I thought would be the next 100,000 miles. After I had the vehicle towed home due to the estimated $7000 repair bill, I called several Chrysler mechanics who told me this is a known issue with that model and engine year due to both water leaking into the engine compartment (tsb issued) and a possible problem with the crank main bearing. I called Chrysler customer service (joke) and both the people I talked too "literally" asked why I was calling since the warranty had expired and it was no longer Chrysler's problem. I told them because warranty has no bearing on a known defect. The second person I talked to literally laughed at me on the phone and refused to let me talk to someone higher than him stating "I am as high as it gets" and told me "Chrysler is not going to do anything for you". I asked his if this is the new Chrysler after "I" helped bail them out, he said they bailed themselves out. This is the same customer service that told me there were no electrical issues, then 6 months later recalled my truck due to electric fires. If this does not get resolved by Chrysler, I nor will a anyone in my family ever buy another Chrysler product.

- Southgate, MI, USA

I have a 2004 Dodge Durango with a 5.7 hemi. After a rain I started the vehicle and the engine blew. The Durango has had regular service. When it was parked the day before it was fine and had been driven all day. I looked this up and is a common occurrence.

- Cornelius, NC, USA

On April 11, 2014, my three young children, boyfriend, and myself(pregnant) stopped at a red light. As the light turned green I began to accelerate; that's when I heard a loud popping sound. At first I thought maybe my tire popped. I was barely able to pull off the 4 lane street I was traveling on without getting hit. Once I pulled over I realized oil leaking from underneath my truck. I was able to take the truck to a service station that was located across the parking lot and was told the engine failed. The truck still starts but makes a loud clicking noise. This truck has been well taking care of and maintenance regularly. I have done research on the issue and have found this has been an on going issue with Chrysler. I don't understand why there hasn't been a recall on this issue. I had no warning signs of any issues with my truck and now this. This is such a disappointment.

- Jamestown, NY, USA

After a rain storm where the 04 Durango was parked slightly downhill I attempted to start the vehicle and heard a horrid sound as if metal parts were flying around in the engine. Looked under the vehicle and found small pieces of metal on the ground. Eventually found a hole in the block and after doing some research online I found that this is a common problem. I called Chrysler and they would not help as the vehicle is out of warranty.

- Centreville, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Durango. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and would not start. The contact shifted into neutral and was able to restart the vehicle. The failure was recurring and on some occasions, the vehicle would not restart until after several attempts. Additionally, the vehicle would hesitate to engage when the brakes were applied. The exterior body and the undercarriage exhibited extensive rust. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was diagnosed that a rod had penetrated and damaged the engine, which would need replacing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90000.

- Onaway, MI, USA

On 2april I went to start the Durango. Did not even turn an it stopped. I thought it was a starter motor. I was told it was not it was in the engine. I went on line an found out that Dodge had a problem with this engine(hemi). Valve problem. I looked on line I saw all the trouble people had after 100,000 mi. Dodge had a problem an did nothing till 2005. There has to be over a 100 people with this problem. Chrysler will not do nothing. They cant do anything till there is a call back. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Updated 10/8/2014

- Milford, MA, USA